Vitex plant named ‘DAVID SEARLE’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Vitex  hybrid cultivar named ‘DAVID SEARLE’ is disclosed, characterized by sterile flowers on compact, shrubby plants. Foliage is uniquely rounded. Flowers are large and held on dark peduncles. The new variety is a  Vitex  hybrid, typically used for ornamental outdoor purposes.

Latin name of the genus and species: Vitex hybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘DAVID SEARLE’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar was discovered as part of a planned breeding programdirected by the inventor, Kris Jarantoski. The parent varieties areunidentified, as the variety resulted from an open pollination and masscollected seed from breeding blocks including several varieties of Vitexhybrida plants. The seed parent is and unnamed, unpatented variety ofVitex agnus-castus. The pollen parent is an unnamed, unpatented varietyof Vitex rotundifolia. This crossing was made during Summer of 1994. Thenew variety was selected September of 1995 at a botanic garden inGlencoe, Ill.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘DAVID SEARLE’ by semi-softwoodvegetative cuttings was first performed in July of 1998 at a researchnursery in Glencoe, Ill. The inventor has confidentially reviewed plantperformance over several years. Subsequent propagation has shown thatthe unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true totype in successive generations. Date of first sale was Jul. 1, 2018, inthe United States. This sale was made directly by the inventor or onewho obtained the claimed invention directly or indirectly from theinventor. This sale and all public disclosures made before the filing ofthis application fall within the exception allowed under 102(b)(1).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations inenvironment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity,without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘DAVID SEARLE’. These characteristicsin combination distinguish ‘DAVID SEARLE’ as a new and distinct Vitexcultivar:

-   -   1. Sterile flowers.    -   2. Uniquely rounded foliage.    -   3. Large flowers.    -   4. Compact, shrubby plant habit.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DAVID SEARLE’ are similar to plants of theseed parent in most horticultural characteristics. However, plants ofthe new cultivar ‘DAVID SEARLE’ differ in the following characteristics;

-   -   1. Plants of the new variety are more compact and shrubby, with        denser branching.    -   2. The new variety produces lateral branches with maturity,        producing an outwardly spreading plant. This comparator produces        branches at the top of the plant, spreading upwardly.    -   3. Flowers of the new variety are sterile, flowers of this        comparator are fertile.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DAVID SEARLE’ are similar to plants of thepollen parent in most horticultural characteristics. However, plants ofthe new cultivar ‘DAVID SEARLE’ differ in the following characteristics;

-   -   1. Plants of the new variety are compact without the runner        habit of the pollen parent.    -   2. The new variety produces lateral branches with maturity,        producing an outwardly spreading plant. This comparator produces        branches at the top of the plant, spreading upwardly.    -   3. Flowers of the new variety are sterile, flowers of this        comparator are fertile.    -   4. Terminal inflorescence of the new variety are longer than        those of the pollen parent.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DAVID SEARLE’ are similar to plants of thecommercial variety Vitex agnus-castus ‘Fletcher Pink’, unpatented, inmost horticultural characteristics. However, plants of the new cultivar‘DAVID SEARLE’ differ in the following characteristics;

-   -   1. The new variety produces lateral branches with maturity,        producing an outwardly spreading plant. This comparator produces        branches at the top of the plant, spreading upwardly.    -   2. Flowers of the new variety are sterile, flowers of this        comparator are fertile.    -   3. Flowers of the new variety are violet colored, flowers of        this comparator are rose-violet colored.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DAVID SEARLE’ are also similar to plants ofthe commercial variety Vitex agnus-castus ‘Le Compte’, unpatented, inmost horticultural characteristics. However, plants of the new cultivar‘DAVID SEARLE’ differ in the following characteristics;

-   -   1. The new variety produces lateral branches with maturity,        producing an outwardly spreading plant. ‘Le Compte’ produces        branches at the top of the plant, spreading upwardly.    -   2. Flowers of the new variety are sterile, flowers of ‘Le        Compte’ are fertile.    -   3. Flowers of the new variety are violet colored, flowers of ‘Le        Compte’ are rose-violet colored.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DAVID SEARLE’ are also similar to plants ofthe commercial variety Vitex hybrida ‘Helen Froehlich’, U.S. Plantpatent application Ser. No. 16/501,081 filed concurrently, in mosthorticultural characteristics. However, plants of the new cultivar‘DAVID SEARLE’ differ in the following characteristics;

-   -   1. The new variety produces rounder foliage than ‘Helen        Froehlich’.    -   2. Inflorescences of the new variety are shorter than those of        ‘Helen Froehlich’.    -   3. Plants of the new variety are approximately 20% smaller at        maturity in both height and width.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color typicalplants of ‘DAVID SEARLE’ grown outdoors in a trial field in Glencoe,Ill. The plants shown are approximately 4 years old.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close up view of the inflorescence.

FIG. 3 illustrates inflorescence and foliage of the new variety on theleft, and an inflorescence and foliage of the comparator ‘HelenFroehlich’ on the right. The photographs were taken using conventionaltechniques and although colors may appear different from actual colorsdue to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventionalphotographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, 2007 except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘DAVID SEARLE’ plants grown outdoors inSouthern California. Measurements and numerical values representaverages of typical flowering types.

-   Botanical classification: Vitex hybrida ‘DAVID SEARLE’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to rooting: Approximately 20 days at approximately 20° C.-   Root description: Dense, free branching, thin, fibrous. Colored tan,    not accurately measured with an RHS chart.-   Plant description:-   Age of plant described: About 2 years in a 7 gallon container.-   Growth habit: Perennial shrub. Outwardly branched, rounded.-   Height: 60 cm in a 7 gallon container.-   Width: 120 cm in a 7 gallon container.-   Growth rate: Moderate to rapid.-   Typical commercial container sizes: 3 to 15 gallon.-   Branches:    -   -   Branching habit.—Freely branching.        -   Lateral branch quantity.—4 to 6 main lateral branches.        -   Lateral branch length.—25 to 45 cm.        -   Lateral branch diameter.—5 to 9 mm.        -   Branch angle.—Most branches 45 to 75 degrees from center.        -   Branch strength.—Strong.        -   Branch color.—Near RHS Greyed-Green 198D, moderately covered            in smooth striations colored near Grey 201B.        -   Internode length.—Average range 2.0 to 4.5 cm.-   Foliage:-   Leaves:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Length (excluding petiole).—5.0 cm.        -   Width.—4.2 cm.        -   Shape.—Orbicular.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Round to nearly truncate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture upper surface.—Glabrous.        -   Texture lower surface.—Glabrous.        -   Color.—Immature: Upper: Near RHS Green 137A. Lower: Near RHS            Greyed-Green 190A. Mature: Upper: RHS Green 139A. Lower: RHS            Greyed-Green 190A.        -   Venation.—Color: Upper: RHS Yellow-Green 144C. Lower: RHS            Yellow-Green 145B.-   Petiole:    -   -   Length.—1 cm.        -   Width.—2 mm.        -   Texture.—Slight pubescence.        -   Color.—Upper side: RHS Greyed-Purple N187B. Under side: RHS            Yellow-Green 145B.-   Inflorescence:-   Description: Salverform flowers arranged in panicles.-   Flowering season: Spring to Mid-Summer in Southern California.-   Fragrance: None.-   Number of flowers per inflorescence:    -   -   Largest central panicles.—Average range 30 to 60 on central.        -   Lateral panicles.—Average range 10 to 40.-   Inflorescence height:    -   -   Central panicle.—7 to 14 cm.        -   Lateral panicle.—5 to 7 cm.-   Inflorescence diameter:    -   -   Central panicle.—4 to 6 cm.        -   Lateral panicle.—3 to 4 cm.-   Flowers:    -   -   Flower diameter.—1.2 cm.        -   Flower length.—1.1 cm.        -   Flower throat diameter.—4 mm.        -   Flower tube diameter (base).—2 mm.        -   Flower tube length.—8 mm.        -   Flower angle.—About 45 to 75°.        -   Persistence.—Self-Cleaning.-   Flower bud:    -   -   Length.—7 mm.        -   Diameter.—4 mm.        -   Shape.—Obovate.        -   Color.—RHS Violet-Blue 92C flushed 92B.-   Individual flowers: The corolla is sympetalous and typically    bilabiate with 2 small, highly fused lobes forming an upper lip and    3 larger highly fused lobes forming a lower lip.-   Size:    -   -   Upper lip.—Diameter: Approximately 5 mm. Length:            Approximately 4 mm.        -   Lower lip.—Length: Approximately 8 mm. Width: Approximately            7 mm.-   Petals: One upper lip and one lower lip with 4 lobes. Lips are fused    at base. All surfaces, including inner and outer tube are smooth and    hairless.    -   -   Tip shape.—Upper lip: 2 rounded lobes. Lower lip: 2 rounded            lobes.-   Color:    -   -   Upper lip.—When opening: Inner surface: Near RHS Violet            N88B. Outer surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 92A. Fully opened:            Inner surface: Near RHS Violet N88B. Outer surface: Near RHS            Violet-Blue 91B. Fading: Inner surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue            90C. Outer surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 91B flushed 92A.-   Color:    -   -   Lower lip.—When opening: Inner surface: Near RHS Violet            N88A, 2 center linear streaks near Violet 85D. Outer            surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 92A. Fully opened: Inner            surface: Near RHS Violet N88B, 2 center linear streaks near            White N155A. Outer surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 90C.            Fading: Inner surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 90B, center            linear streaks near White N155A. Outer surface: Near RHS            Violet-Blue 91B flushed 92A.-   Color:    -   -   Tube.—When opening: Inner surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 91B.            Outer surface: Near RHS Violet N88D. Fully opened: Inner            surface: Near RHS Violet 85D flushed Violet 84C. Outer            surface: Near RHS Violet-Blue 91C. Fading: Inner surface:            Near RHS Violet 84D. Outer surface: Near RHS Violet 84D            flushed Violet 84C.-   Calyx: Sepals fused into a tube, tightly held around corolla.-   Sepals:    -   -   Shape.—5 lobes entirely fused into a tube, except 1 mm acute            lobes at apex.        -   Length.—Approximately 4 mm.        -   Width.—Approximately 3 mm.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture.—Slightly velvety.        -   Color.—Near RHS Greyed-Green 189B.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—Average range 1.5 to 3 cm.        -   Width.—3 to 4 mm.        -   Color.—RHS Greyed-Purple N187B.        -   Texture.—Pubescent and ridged.        -   Angle.—Very slightly outwardly curved.        -   Strength.—Strong.-   Pedicels:    -   -   Length.—2 to 3 mm.        -   Diameter.—1 mm.        -   Texture.—Pubescent.        -   Color.—RHS Greyed-Green 191C.        -   Strength.—Good.        -   Angle.—About 45°.-   Reproductive organs:-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—4.        -   Filament length.—Approximately 8 mm.        -   Filament color.—Near RHS Violet 85A.-   Anthers:    -   -   Shape.—Obovate.        -   Length.—Approximately 2 mm.        -   Color.—Near RHS Violet 86D.        -   Pollen.—Not detected.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—1.        -   Length.—Approximately 1.8 cm.        -   Style.—Length: Approximately 1.6 cm. Color: Near RHS Violet            84A.        -   Stigma.—Shape: 2-parted. Color: Near RHS Violet 83A. Ovary            color: Near RHS Greyed-Green 191B.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Disease and insect resistance: No significant disease or pest    resistance nor susceptibility have been observed.-   Temperature tolerance: USDA Zones 5-9.-   Fruit/seed production: Fruit and seed production have not been    observed in the new cultivar.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Vitex plant named‘DAVID SEARLE’ as herein illustrated and described.